EVs turn big favourites with some dog owners

«The 'Pet Comfort' (feature) was a huge part of our decision,» Sjostrom says from his station on the outskirts of Minneapolis. «Now, I don't leave here without bringing her with me.» Almost all EVs now have some form of climate control that can be programmed to run when the machine is parked and driverless, another feature electric models can offer that internal combustion ones can't, like a front trunk or fueling at home.

The temperature setting, which carmakers have been marketing for years, is now drawing a wide and specific demographic: the devoted dog owner. Lucid Group calls its feature «creature comfort mode,» which «has without a doubt been a great sales tool,» says spokesman Justin Berkowitz.

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Enthusiasm for electric vehicles has been fading somewhat around the world. The pace of EV sales, while still brisk, has slowed down in recent years as governments ratcheted back incentives for electric models, which remain more expensive than gas-powered cars. In this environment, keeping the family pet comfortable is one overlooked selling point that is convincing some people to go electric.

Adding features for dog owners is a sound business strategy. There have never been more dogs in the US, and households with them tend to earn more money than average. While a wide swath of EV brands let drivers keep climate control active for 30 minutes or so while the car is off, companies that exclusively make electric